What is a rock opera?

A rock opera is a musical work that blends rock music with a dramatic narrative, often incorporating elements of opera and musical theater. Typically, a rock opera tells a story through a series of songs and musical numbers, with characters and plotlines that follow a traditional dramatic structure, including exposition, rising action, climax, and resolution.

Some of the most famous rock operas of all time include "The Who's Tommy," "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Hair," and "The Wall" by Pink Floyd. Rock operas frequently deal with socially relevant themes such as politics, religion, war, and rebellion, and are often seen as a way for musicians to create a more meaningful, message-driven form of rock music.

While rock operas were most popular in the 1970s and 1980s, the genre has continued to influence popular music and theater to this day, with notable examples including Green Day's "American Idiot" and "Hamilton" by Lin-Manuel Miranda.